Foreign Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he has “no doubts” that Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick’s comments about the Government’s response to the Gaza conflict helped incite the vandalism of his Auckland home on Tuesday evening.
Police say a 29-year-old man has been charged with burglary after allegedly smashing a window at Peters’ St Marys Bay property about 5.40 pm. Peters was not home at the time, but his partner Jan Trotman was inside with a guest when the attack occurred. The couple’s dog, Kobe, was reportedly struck by flying glass during the incident.
The alleged offender fled before police arrived but handed himself in about 8 pm and is scheduled to appear in the Auckland District Court on 10 October.
Peters accused Swarbrick of inflaming tensions through her public criticism of the Government’s stance on Gaza, claiming her rhetoric “gave licence” to extreme behaviour.
Swarbrick has condemned the attack, saying violence and vandalism have no place in political expression, but she maintained that “public outrage over the ongoing death and displacement in Gaza is justified.”
The incident has drawn cross-party condemnation, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins both expressing concern and reiterating calls for respectful protest.
In a Facebook post, Peter’s said “Tonight a disgusting coward has gone to my home and smashed a window. Glass was shattered all over our dog. He also left a sign on the front door. I wasn’t home. But my partner and guest were. This is truly gutless.”
“This is the type of violent hate-filled behaviour we warned about in the past few days about the radical left. When we have protesters, political bloggers, and MPs alike encouraging this behaviour, posting politicians’ home addresses online, and acting with pure ignorance and extremism, this is the result.”
” This is the slippery slope that the left has been on the pathway of radicalisation for some time. New Zealanders need to be deeply concerned about where our country is going and see who are the perpetrators of this divisive and violent behaviour.”
“All of New Zealand needs to be deeply concerned.”
It also comes amid renewed Parliamentary debate over whether demonstrations outside MPs’ private homes should be restricted or banned, following several high-profile protests targeting politicians’ residences in recent months.
Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel confirmed police were called to the scene following reports of a window being smashed.
Superintendent Patel said police recognise the right to lawful protest; however, they will not condone protest action where property is damaged.
He said police understand these ongoing occurrences have caused angst and frustration among residents and continue to urge protesters to remain within the bounds of the law, especially in residential areas.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing, with officers maintaining contact with affected residents in the area.
The incident adds to growing tensions surrounding New Zealand’s domestic debate over the Gaza war, as authorities balance public safety, free expression, and the right to protest.
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